By Colouamist Vishwamithra critically evaluates the political landscape in Sri Lanka, focusing on key figures like Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Rajapaksa family, Sajith Premadasa, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He emphasizes the importance of intuition, experience, and the ability to read the electorate’s pulse in successful electioneering. Drawing from Kant’s philosophy, which highlights the interplay of intuition and concepts in acquiring knowledge, Vishwamithra argues that a politician’s success hinges on not just their strategic thinking, but also on their ability to genuinely connect with the electorate.
Vishwamithra paints Wickremesinghe as a strategic yet disconnected leader, notorious for his inability to resonate with the masses, and historically seen as a “born loser” who prioritizes political maneuvering over genuine public service. The Rajapaksas, once deeply rooted in popular support, have seen their credibility erode after the Aragalaya-22 protests, leading to their political downfall.
Sajith Premadasa, in Vishwamithra’s view, lacks his father’s intuitive understanding of the electorate and has failed to connect with the masses on a meaningful level. This disconnect is compounded by Premadasa’s perceived arrogance and lack of relatability, which diminishes his effectiveness as a leader.
In contrast, Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is praised for his authenticity and ability to connect with diverse segments of the population. Vishwamithra sees AKD as having run an almost flawless campaign, though he warns of the potential for a unified effort by other political forces to undermine AKD and the NPP (National People’s Power).
Vishwamithra concludes that in the high-stakes political environment, organization and the ability to adapt will be key determinants of success, particularly if a binary political battle emerges between AKD and a coalition of status quo forces, likely led by Wickremesinghe.
